May 10, 2010

Howrey's Mike Lee a Contender in Utah

Howrey partner Michael Lee was one of the two candidates who toppled three-term veteran Republican Sen. Bob Bennett in Utah on Saturday. Lee finished behind businessman Tim Bridgewater, but ahead of Bennett in delegate voting at the state Republican convention in Salt Lake City. Lee now faces Bridgewater in a primary election set for June 22.

Lee's father is the late Reagan-era U.S. solicitor general Rex Lee, a renowned figure among Supreme Court advocates, and founder of Sidley Austin's Supreme Court practice. Mike Lee clerked for Justice Samuel Alito Jr. when Alito was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and when Alito went to the Supreme Court, he brought Lee in to help him again as a clerk. According to this Salt Lake Tribunereport in April, Lee's financial disclosure report indicated he made more than $600,000 as a partner in the Salt Lake City office of the D.C.-based firm last year.

When we caught up with Lee at the beginning of his campaign in January, he recalled growing up with his father, who died in 1996. "It was normal for us to discuss the presentment clause over brussels sprouts at the dinner table," said Lee.